Governor Eric J. Holcomb today delivered a statewide address to lay out the road ahead for Hoosiers in the fight against COVID-19 – including a change in the mask mandate and opening up vaccinations to much younger Hoosiers. 

“As we continue to isolate if you test positive, quarantine if you’re a close contact, and get vaccinated when you’re eligible, the light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter and brighter,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to stay on our course.”

Indiana’s current cases, positivity rate, hospitalizations, and deaths have all dropped drastically since mid-January, and nearly a million Hoosiers are fully vaccinated. The state plans to open vaccine eligibility to all Hoosiers 16 years and older on Wednesday, March 31, provided Indiana receives a large increase in the amount of vaccine as outlined by the federal government. Additional mass vaccination clinics will be scheduled for April and the state will implement a large employer vaccination program.

Starting April 6, decisions about venue capacity and social gatherings will be made by local officials. Customers in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs will no longer be required by the state to be seated. Six feet of spacing between tables and other seating will still be recommended as is the spacing between non-household parties.

The statewide face-covering mandate will become a mask advisory on April 6.

Face coverings will remain mandatory in all state buildings and facilities and in all vaccination and COVID testing sites until further notice.

K-12 schools will continue under current requirements through the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. 

“When I visit my favorite restaurant or conduct a public event, I will continue to wear a mask,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It is the right thing to do. Hoosiers who take these recommended precautions will help us get to what I hope is the tail end of this pandemic.”

Local governments, private businesses, and other entities may institute more stringent guidelines.

The Indiana Department of Health will continue to provide county-level, color-coded metrics to provide easy to understand information about whether virus levels are increasing or decreasing locally.

The state public health emergency will be renewed for another 30 days, beginning April 1.

This declaration allows the state to act quickly if conditions take a turn for the worse and allows the state to continue to access hundreds of millions of federal dollars to support Hoosiers recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.

State Senator Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) had the following response to the governor’s statement:

“I share Governor Holcomb’s pride in how Hoosiers came together to face this pandemic,” Senator Taylor said. “Our hospitals and health care workers put their own lives at risk to fight for our family members. Our companies kicked in to manufacture PPE. Our families made sacrifices by staying home to keep our neighbors safe. Our National Guard heeded the call to help feed our communities. And I want to thank every one of you for all of these efforts.

“I appreciate that Governor Holcomb is extending his emergency order for another month. This ensures that our state can get federal funding we need to continue our pandemic response,” said Senator Taylor. “We are not out of the woods yet. We have come so far and I’m so glad to see Hoosiers getting vaccinated. However, our families still face hunger, eviction and joblessness from this pandemic and some of the assistance available to families will be ending soon. I ask the governor to stay vigilant, and to work with the General Assembly to make sure the budget we pass next month and the upcoming distribution of federal funds focus on the struggling families that need this support during this difficult time.”

Click here to read the Governor’s full remarks.

Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller announced Tuesday that all Washington County Sheriff cruisers will be carrying the opioid overdose reversal agent naloxone. 

This medication is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. 

It can very quickly restore normal breathing to a person that has slowed or stopped breathing due to an opioid overdose.

The use of naloxone has already made a difference in the community when it saved the life of an 18-year-old, according to Miller. 

Detective Brad Naugle was called to the scene of an overdose in a remote area of the county and was able to administer the medicine to save the young man’s life.

“With the large geographic area of our county, officers carrying this overdose reversal drug with them can help save a life.  In addition, having this product on hand makes our law enforcement officers safer,” said Miller. 

Police officers can be exposed to dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, while on duty.  Fentanyl can cause an overdose if touched or in cases of accidental needle sticks.  Carrying naloxone provides these officers a lifeline in the field.   

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration have funded nearly $1 million toward the distribution of naloxone, making it possible for our officers to have the medication in their cruisers. Funds were made available by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s state opioid response grant. 

Overdose Lifeline, Inc., an Indiana nonprofit helping individuals, families and communities affected by drug addiction through advocacy, education, harm reduction, prevention, resources, and support have helped to distribute the naloxone throughout the state. 

Naloxone is available for free for families in need and can also be purchased at most local pharmacies and is available without a prescription. 

If you, a family member, or caregiver, would benefit from a free supply of naloxone please visit  www.overdoelifeline.org/2020-indiana-naloxone-request and request your dose today. 

Lane Restrictions Scheduled for SR 64 Bridge Near Marengo

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for State Road 64 near Marengo for a bridge project.

Beginning on or around Monday, April 5, contractors will close one lane of the S.R. 64 bridge spanning Whiskey Run just east of the intersection of S.R. 66. Crews will perform patching and paving at this location with one lane open at all times during construction.

During the project, lane closures will be in place around the clock. Work is expected to last until the end of June, depending upon weather conditions.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Daytime Lane Closures Scheduled for SR 37 in Paoli

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces daytime lane closures for State Road 37 in Paoli for sidewalk improvements.  

Beginning on or around Monday, March 29, contractors will close one lane of S.R. 37 between Cherry Street and Water Street in Paoli. Crews will be installing curb ramps for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

During the project, one lane will be closed during daytime hours. Traffic flow in the open lane will be controlled by flagging operations. The project is scheduled to last until the end of May depending upon weather conditions.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Road Closure Scheduled for SR 37/64 Near Taswell

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for a pipe replacement near Taswell on State Road 37/64.

Beginning on or around Monday, April 5, INDOT crews will excavate and replace a drainage culvert between the Taswell town limits and North Brownstown Road. During this operation crews will close all lanes of traffic to remove the existing pipe, replace it with a new structure and fill the pavement cut with fill material. The fill material is then compacted under normal traffic conditions and crews will return after a few days to complete the asphalt overlay.

Work on this project is scheduled to last for about four days depending upon weather conditions. During the closure, only local traffic will have access up to the point of closure. All through traffic should use the official detour following S.R. 145, I-64 and S.R. 237.  

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Lane Closures Scheduled for SR 337 Near Orleans

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces daytime lane closures for State Road 337 near Orleans for pavement and sidewalk projects.  

Beginning on or around Monday, March 29, contractors will begin a project to repave S.R. 337 from the intersection of S.R. 56 to the intersection of S.R. 37. The first phase of the project will include sidewalk improvements to bring curb ramps into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following the curb ramp work, contractors will begin milling and repaving. During the project, one lane will be open at all times with traffic being controlled by flagging operations. Work is expected to last until the end of June depending upon weather conditions.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

In January 2021, Indiana State Police Detective Jarrod Lents began an investigation into an allegation of Rape involving a male suspect and a female victim, both from Martin County.

The investigation by Det. Lents resulted in an arrest warrant for Waylon Wininger, age 33, of rural Shoals.

On March 20, 2021, Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Lents and Trooper Steven Nolan located Wininger walking on Progress School Road in Martin County. Wininger was taken into custody and transported to the Martin County Jail.

• Rape level 3 felony 35-42-4-1

Former Indiana National Guard soldier promoted to major general and took the support reins of V Corps, headquartered at the U.S. Army installation situated south of the Ohio River about 40 southwest of Louisville, Kentucky.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Burke, most recently the Deputy Chief of Staff Multinational Corps Northeast based in Poland, received his two-star rank during a ceremony attended among others by Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles.

“This role that Bob is about to undertake, as V Corps deputy commanding general for support, couldn’t be awarded to a more worthy and accomplished individual,” said Lyles in his speech. “There isn’t another soldier in the National Guard, or perhaps anywhere, who has accrued his specific background and qualifications. Bob’s can-do attitude and his ability to employ a command philosophy of integrity, honesty, hard work and lifelong learning make him, in March Madness lingo, a slam dunk.”

V Corps organizes, prepares, develops strategic understanding, establishes an enduring rotational headquarters capability in Poland, and builds capability and capacity to shape, deter, fight and win in Europe.

On Order, V Corps, alongside allies and partners, competes forward in Europe to promote interoperability, counter malign influence, and deter aggression. When directed, commands and controls Army, joint and combined forces in response to crises or, should conflict occur, fights and wins in large-scale combat operations.

Prior to serving overseas, Burke led the Indiana National Guard‘s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Lawrence, Indiana. During his tenure, the 76th was the first National Guard brigade to lead Pacific Pathways in 2018. The team’s soldiers also participated in high-profile exercises including the eXportable Combat Training Capability program in 2016 and Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana in 2017.

“There were two significant things for which I came to truly appreciate over my now 31 years as a citizen-solider, traditional Guardsman,” said Maj. Gen. Robert D. Burke, V Corps deputy commanding general – support “One is being able to not only do your second job as a soldier but able to balance the dual-career required by the military which on top of it has a military education requirement for every grade in order to be promoted.”

While a traditional Indiana National Guardsman, Burke also served as an Indiana State Police Officer, and several troopers made the trip south to support one of their own.

“The second and potentially one could argue the most important is having a civilian employer that is completely committed to supporting their National Guard employee,” Burke said.

During his military career, Burke has received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal among many others. He’s served as the 38th Infantry Division’s operations officer and has commanded two battalion-sized formations.

Burke and his wife, Tina, have four children: Tyler, Kayli, Macy and Kyle.

National Poison Prevention Week is celebrated March 21st-27th.  This week is used to draw attention to poison control centers and the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222).  While we hope this phone number is never needed, storing this nationwide phone number in your phone or a prominent location in your home could help save a life in the future. 

Poisoning is an issue that unfortunately affects every age group.  While almost half of all poison emergency calls involve children under age six, it is not uncommon to receive calls from adults – especially seniors according to www.poison.org.  Frequently we think of poisoning as something we ingest, but there are a variety of ways besides ingesting that a person can experience poisoning, including breathing in a toxin, splashing in the eyes or on the skin, and through a bite or sting.  

Due to COVID-19, many homes have increased the number of common household items that contribute to the poisoning of adults and children.   In order to keep the virus out of our homes, we are using more disinfecting wipes, cleaning supplies, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  These items are often left within reach of small children as adults are trying to keep everyone safe and clean, giving young children the opportunity to explore items they have previously not had access to leading to more poisoning concerns.  Other items that frequently cause poisoning:

1)      Prescription medicine

2)      Pain reliever both over the counter and prescription

3)      Alcohol

4)      Pesticides

5)      Antihistamines

6)      Vitamins

7)      Foreign Bodies/Toys (glow sticks, silica gel)

8)      Batteries

9)      Antidepressants

10)   Fumes/Gases/Vapors

Although most poisonings are accidental, we can take extra precautions to keep our families safe at home.   The National Capital Poison Center provides the following prevention guidance for children, adults, and seniors. 

Preventing serious poisonings in children:

– Read the label before you give medicine to a child.  Use the right dosing cup, measuring spoon or syringe.  Put the cap back on tightly.

– Lock medicines and household products up high, where children can’t see or reach them.  Child-resistant closures are not child-proof!

– Keep button batteries where children can’t reach them.

– Store medicines and products in their original containers.

– Watch children carefully outdoors.  Some plants and wild mushrooms are poisonous.

– Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in the hallway near every sleeping area in your home.

Preventing serious poisonings in adults and seniors:

– Always read the label and follow the directions.

– Take only your own medicine.  Take the right amount at the right time.

– Never mix cleaning products.  Poisonous gases, explosions, burns, or fires may result.

– Keep household products away from food and medicine so they do not mix.

– Store products in original containers.

– Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in the hallway near every sleeping area in your home.

– Never burn charcoal or use gas-powered tools or engines indoors.

– Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even if the garage door is open.

If you need to call the Indiana Poison Center, they will provide helpful resources to guide you in the next steps on how to treat the person suffering possible poisoning symptoms.  When calling the Indiana Poison Center, you will be met with: 

1)      Immediate advice from experts.

2)      Money and time-saving care.

3)      A specialist that will help you decide if you need to go to a hospital or if the poisoning can be handled at home (most poisonings can be handled at home with help from the poison center.)

4)      A specialist will call ahead if you do need to go to a hospital, so ER staff are ready if you need treatment. 

Remember calling the Poison Center will not delay your treatment.  They are prepared to help you over the phone. 

While we hope you never need to use this information, we want you to be prepared to both prevent and attend to any poisoning situations that might arise. 

Remember, keep dangerous items out of the reach of children. 

Put these items away in a safe and secure location to help keep your family and friends safe.   If an emergency arises, call the Poison Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.